So it's come time to predict a potential WC U-20 roster. It looks exceedingly like Sargent and Weah will not be with the U20's. With that said here is my go at a potential roster:

GK: Muse, Dos Santos, Scott

Defense: Lindsey, Dest, Real, Gloster, McKenzie, Richards, Rogers

CM: Ledezma, Mendez, Servania, Pomykal, Durkin

A: Soto, Ferreira, Taitigue, Llanez, Amon, De La Fuente

chris_thebassplayerSan Jose

Post #2

Friday January 4, 2019 10:50pm

Joined May 2013
Total Posts: 1,455

I like Rennicks to make it...

hamsamwich

Post #3

Thursday February 21, 2019 2:39pm

Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 2,982

Ledezma and his father both sounding like Johnathan Gonzalez right now.

If McKenzie isn't going (doesn't seem like it), who are the options to partner Richards??? Sam Rogers (seems like a depth guy)... who is this Michael Edwards from Wolfsburg can he make a late push to make the team. Matt Real? Seems like another guy who could be used in a pinch but not a preferred option?? -. Personally (it seems DC are going to allow him to go), I would probably want to use Chris Durkin there over the other guys and just go for an all out attacking game plan. This cycle is weak in defense but strong in the press and attack. I also think Richards could handle that amount of space if Durkin were a sort of stopper/libero ahead of him starting our attacks.

Dave

Post #4

Friday February 22, 2019 9:52am

Joined Jul 2014
Total Posts: 980

There look to be some talented players who aren't going to make the cut.
@2tone - I like your selections, but a couple names I wouldn't be surprised to see included would be:

All 3 of these guys provided good returns and have been in a good portion of the camps/games. Is Tab really going to drop them now and possibly disrupt the team to bring in someone with fewer appearances?

I forget if at the youth level clubs are required to release players, but there always seem to be a couple guys each cycle who should have been on the team, but weren't. I know that the Union have voiced an issue about releasing McKenzie....If not released an option would be to drop Durkin to CB and insert Torres at CDM.

With only 21 roster spots it's important to have a few multi positional player and it is harder to bring specialists as a depth option/flyer.

hamsamwich

Post #5

Sunday February 24, 2019 5:06pm

Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 2,982

Gloster, Richards, ???, Dest. It's a big question mark. With the talent going forward, getting someone to pair Richards is the key. Tab Ramos has a history of selecting anyone in form (in his mind) right up until the end. Anybody playing well right now can fill that spot.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #6

Sunday February 24, 2019 7:06pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,178

Looks like we got a semi difficult group:

USA, Ukraine, Nigeria, Qatar.

navi8132New York

Post #7

Sunday February 24, 2019 7:37pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 3,048

I look at the other groups and I can't find any that could be considered easier than our group. It all depends on whether this rumor is true: that Ukraine U-20 is really good.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #8

Sunday February 24, 2019 10:38pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,178

Original post from navi8132

I look at the other groups and I can't find any that could be considered easier than our group. It all depends on whether this rumor is true: that Ukraine U-20 is really good.

On paper it may look easy, but regardless Nigeria excels at these youth tournaments, Ukraine are a good team and we always struggle against Eastern European sides, and Qatar has a good program in place.

All the groups are semi difficult. Hopefully the baby nats show well.

hamsamwich

Post #9

Monday February 25, 2019 1:32pm

Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 2,982

No Brazil, England, Spain or Germany seems like an open tournament. Our best players of the age group won't be there but the quality of depth is much better than years past.

Soto definitely has the chance to be the star of the show. He didn't look so great in qualifying but I think with a proper camp with his very creative teammates - Soto can get the goals we need. He gets into great positions in the box.

hamsamwich

Post #10

Tuesday February 26, 2019 2:31pm

Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 2,982

Tab says me is going to Germany (Gloster, Mendez, Soto, Taitague etc) and then Holland to visit Dest. All the visits seem scheduled up, with the lone exception he "may" visit Ledezma at PSV. This is all starting to sound a little troubling. If Richie and his dad want him to play for Mexico I guess that's what's they want... Whatever. I prefer George Acosta to Ledezma personally.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #11

Tuesday February 26, 2019 5:00pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,178

I think any thought about Ledezma going to Mexico is premature. I haven't seen anything about him wanting to leave the US set up. Yes his dad would prefer him to go to Mexico, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Even if he does Mendez is a superb midfielder.

hamsamwich

Post #12

Wednesday February 27, 2019 6:08pm

Joined Oct 2013
Total Posts: 2,982

Attacking wise I think we have a lot of decent options but if Soto doesn't hit this team could be starved for goals. Mendez is a fantastic player but I'm not betting on too many bombs like what he scored in concacaf to happen again at the World Cup.

McKenzie playing really gives the team a solid spine. Without him it seems we are moving guys too much especially moving Durkin is all we came up with aside from Sam Rogers. It seems like it may take a lot of convincing to change Ernst Tanners mind in Philly to let McKenzie play. It really pissed Tab off.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #13

Monday March 11, 2019 9:51pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,178

With James Sands becoming a force at DM for NYCFC, he may push for a u20 World Cup team selection. Durkin and Sands both seem more poised to be on the U20 teams DM's over Servania and Torres.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #14

Tuesday March 12, 2019 7:32pm

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,178

Looking likely both Weah and Sargent are u20 players for this tournament. US soccer are definitely putting an emphasis on doing better at youth tournaments.

2toneTen-Towns

Post #15

Wednesday March 13, 2019 3:08am

Joined Jul 2012
Total Posts: 10,178

Omir Fernandez another u20 attacker to keep an eye on. Has a goal for the Red Bull's versus Santos. RedBulls now have tied it up!